NEVER GO TO THIS SHOP!!! THEY ARE DESPICABLE/ UNDERHANDED/ LIARS AND THIEVES! BOYCOTT AT ALL COSTS! This shop needs to learn you can't get away with ripping off unsuspecting vulnerable ones clients! I WOULD HAVE GIVEN 0 out of 5 but 1 is the lowest option.
We have all heard of scamming lying mechanics that rip off customers who don't know about cars... well this Active Green and Ross and Eugene Guzzi (owner) are living examples of this stereotype. I can not begin to say how angry/shocked I am at the abuse of power wielded at this shop. They tried to dupe my 75 year old mother and 50 year old disabled brother out of $2,000! I went to 2 other mechanics who both said my car was in perfect condition WITH NO REPAIRS NEEDED!
Details: I 'gifted' my car to my 50 yr old disabled brother and needed a status safety certificate. A mechanic I trust assessed and said my car was in perfect condition and would pass the safety test (I had to go elsewhere for the certificate). Knowing another test was a formality I sent my disabled brother and my 75 year old mother to Active Green and Ross at 215 Islington Ave.
I was blindsided when my mother called me to say Eugene (the owner) said the car needed $2,034 worth of work; and that he was 'kind' enough to call a rental car for my brother to use while the car was being fixed. Eugene said there was: a crack in the fan belt, 2 broken headlight fuses, and that ALL 4 tires were bald and had to be changed. At that moment I knew it was a scam (saying 4 tires need replacing is an EAZY $1,000 cash grab, tires cost 250$+). Again, the car had been assessed BEFORE I went to Green & Ross, he wouldn't have missed 4 bald tires!? Also, 2 OF THE TIRES WERE NEW! ONLY 10/M OLD! The other 2 were under 2yrs and in perfect condition. I KNEW 100% FOR SURE THAT HE WAS RIPPING US OFF! And I was right--My car passed with flying colours at Can Tire -Status Certificate Approved- so 2 mechanics said NO REPAIRS NEEDED!
I flipped when I heard 2,034$ of work was needed. I insisted the car be taken down, we would go elsewhere. My mom called back 15 min later; the rental car had come and Eugene was still encouraging mom to do the repairs and rental. He even went so far as to pull the "I'm an honest mechanic-I could loose my shop" routine. My mom said he pulled out a 4 inch thick book and said "this is my shop's book of guidelines, if I break these rules I can loose my shop- I'd like to help but it would be dishonest and I can't risk my livelihood". After this earnest song and dance my mom and brother both argued with me and defended Eugene! They said he seemed so honest and sincere, that he "worked at Honda" and so he knows what he is talking about (like he can't lie about all that). So, when you bring your car in and this guy seems like he is telling you the truth just know he is a good actor and scammer, NOT AN HONEST MECHANIC!
SO HE TRIED TO DUPE US TWICE 1. paying for unnecessary work; and 2. Renting a car that wasn't needed - That work should take a few hrs, NOT overnight! It is obvious Eugene has a car rental contact he gets kick backs from. **Also, how long would Eugene have kept my car insisting the work took longer, that the rental would have to be extended (i.e. more $ for Eugene). Bottom line: this scam could have had legs and been way more money/time if I had not stopped it.
On all fronts THIS SHOP AND THIS OWNER ARE IMMORAL CHEATS! He saw my elderly mother and disabled brother come through his shop door and figured... easy money, lets dupe them! And not for a couple hundred dollars, but for thousands of dollars! I am just totally disgusted at how they behaved and the flat out lies they spewed and made it seem like they were doing my mother a favour! It's just sick! So, pls. head this review and boycott this shop! You may know more than us about cars/mechanics, but if this is their attitude, as savvy as you are, they will try to figure out a way to scam you. Obviously, this is their M.O.
NOTE: This caused big fights in my family. Something joyous (my brother on ODSP getting a free car- a HUGE deal for his independence & ours) became very stressful. I already took a $5,000 hit by 'gifting' vs. selling my car. If I got suckered by this shop I would have paid $2,034 on top of that!!! I was devastated when my mom called for I knew I couldn't take the hit, and that my bro may not get the car! I want to be a good sibling, to do what I was raised to do, to stick together and help each other. So knowing I couldn't give anymore, because it was my bro, my mom was going to pay for it. My 75 yr old retired single mother who is on a fixed income and has been taking care of a disabled child for 50 years, a child who she ALREADY gives most of her monthly income too so he can live a good life; THAT my friends, is who Eugene and Active Green and Ross was going to dupe!What this man and his shop did to me and my family MAKES ME SICK! And anyone else who does business there is not immune. read more